Thursday, 28 April 2016

Suzette is a tiny village near my place in Provence : 119 inhabitants, a cluster of old stone houses at the top of a hill in the heart of one of Provence's best wine regions. Nestled just below the village, the cemetary has views to die for.
The place reminded me of my friend Owen Phillips' Cemetary Daydreams.

Sunday, 24 April 2016

Visiting a local organic farm during an open-door event called from farm to farm yesterday I was enjoying watching the many wild flowers around until I realised there was something unusual on a poppy - a spider that had caught another insect. With the strong wind shaking the poppy like mad, the spider was having difficulty clinging onto its prey. I tried to stabilise the flower by holding it by the stem but the petals were still moving around like crazy and this is the best shot I could do. I was able to identify the spider as a Napoleon thanks to the great images I found on this blog. Thanks Gilles! Below is the context: a lovely farm aimed at producing quality fruit and vegetables with four bees hives to facilitate the pollination.
I've linked my post to Eileen's Saturday's Critters. and to Misty's Camera Critters. Click and enjoy!

From the top of Rocalinaud Rock in my village of Beaumes-de-Venise in Provence, this post is linked to Skywatch Friday, a community of bloggers who look up to the sky every Friday. Click to see other beautiful skies around the world.

Tuesday, 19 April 2016

Had you ever seen a grapevine that small? It looks like no more than a tiny stick but very soon a few leaves will appear. The colour comes from the red wax protecting the graft. Photos taken in Beaumes-de-Venise, my village in Provence - Mount Ventoux far in the distance.

Saturday, 16 April 2016

The benefit of a storm is the puddles you get the next day on the local dirt roads. In the distance is the ruined castle of Beaumes-de-Venise, my village in Provence. This is actually the back of the castle, few people know it from this angle. Only olive groves and vineyards around here. The village tumbles down the hill on the other side.
This post is linked to Weekend Reflections- click if you feel like travelling a bit!L'avantage d'un orage c'est les flaques qu'on retrouve le lendemain sur les chemins de terre. Au fond, les ruines du château qui surplombe mon village de Beaumes-de-Venise.C'est l'arrière du château qu'on voit là, peu de gens le connaissent sous cet angle. Ici, rien que vignes et oliviers. Le village dévale la colline de l'autre côté.

Friday, 15 April 2016

Here's the panorama from the top of the hill over my village of Beaumes-de-Venise, looking north towards the villages of Lafare and Suzette. The vineyards you see below belong to the Domain de Durban which produces a fantastic muscat wine but also very nice reds and rosé - check out what Kermit Lynch have to say about it. In the distance are the Dentelles de Montmirail to the left and Mont Ventoux to the right. Picture taken yesterday morning after a short but healthy hike uphill. I'm standing on a very old wall belonging to a castle which used to hold the top of the hill but is now no more than a few ruins disappearing under bushes and trees.
This post is linked to Skywatch Friday, a community of bloggers who look up to the sky every Friday. Check it out for more interesting skies around the world.

Monday, 11 April 2016

This is where I was yesterday at sunset, hiking in the Dentelles de Montmirail, Provence's most striking mountain range. Just after I took this photo I joined the people on the platform up there. Turned out it was three young women who were having drinks and nibbles while enjoying the spectacular views at sunset. They were laughing a lot and obviously having a good time, it was a joy to see - I love people who know how to enjoy life. I quickly took a few photos, then congratulated them on their choice and left them to it. Here's a view of what was a their feet.

My beloved Globe Trotters Festival (now renamed Travel Calls festival) is this weekend. I'll be there and I wish you were there too. A great chance to see the world through the eyes of passionate young and not so young adventurous travellers. The programme is here.

After six years in Australia and five years of city life in Avignon I moved to the countryside near the small village of Beaumes-de-Venise. Once dedicated to street photography my blog has since taken a more rural note but the beautiful region of Provence is an constant source of inspiration.